Apparatus for displaying preselected objects which can be readily rearranged into different configurations

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for displaying objects which can be rearranged into a number of different configurations comprising a base member. At least one upright support member engageable with the base member. A first threaded attachment device for securing the at least one support member to such base member. An at least one adjustable sleeve like member engageable with such at least one support member. A second threaded attachment device for securing the at least one adjustable sleeve like member to such at least one support member. There is also at least one accessory carried by such at least one adjustable sleeve like member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is closely related to and claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/691,403 filed Jun. 15, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to equipment that is used in display arrangements and, more particularly, this invention although not limited thereto or thereby relates to an apparatus for displaying at least one of predetermined floral arrangements and other preselected objects; such as, jewelry consisting of rings, bracelets and necklaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is well known in the prior art, there are numerous types of floral designs which do not require containers and that are displayed at floral design shows.

These designs will generally utilize driftwood or some similar type material for display purposes. At one particular design show which the inventor attended he noticed one designer using a metal plate with a barn type spike welded thereto to support the driftwood being used.

Regardless of the designs presently being used applicant is not aware of any such design which is modular in construction which can add to the versatility for displaying preselected components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a versatile apparatus useful in displaying preselected objects for each of commercial use, trade show use and home use. The apparatus includes a base member having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined thickness. There is at least one substantially upright support member engageable with the base member at a first predetermined location. A first threaded attachment means has a first threaded portion disposed in such base member and a second threaded portion disposed on the at least one substantially upright support member adjacent one end thereof for securing such at least one substantially upright support member to the base member. At least one adjustable sleeve like member is engageable with the at least one substantially upright support member at a second predetermined location. A second threaded attachment means has a first threaded portion disposed in a side wall of such at least one adjustable sleeve like member and a second portion threaded portion disposed on a screw like member for securing the at least one adjustable sleeve like member to such at least one substantially upright support member. There is also at least one accessory carried by such at least one adjustable sleeve like member.

According to a second embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for displaying preselected objects which can be rearranged into a number of different predetermined configurations. In this embodiment the apparatus includes a base member having each of a predetermined length, a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness and at least one substantially upright support member secured to such base member at a first predetermined location. There is at least one adjustable sleeve like member engageable with the at least one substantially upright support member at a second predetermined location. A threaded attachment means has a first threaded portion disposed in a side wall portion of the at least one adjustable sleeve like member and a second threaded portion disposed on a screw like member for securing such at least one adjustable sleeve like member to the at least one substantially upright support member. At least one preselected accessory is carried by such at least one adjustable sleeve like member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for displaying preselected objects which can be readily rearranged into a number of different configurations as desired.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for displaying preselected objects which is relatively easy to use.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for displaying preselected objects which is relatively inexpensive to produce.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for displaying preselected objects which is easily stored when not in use.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for displaying preselected objects which is easily transported to display sites.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for displaying preselected objects which can be collapsed when not in use.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for displaying preselected objects which is modular in design.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for displaying preselected objects which is reusable thereby lowering investment cost to the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for displaying preselected objects which can be adapted to numerous fields of display.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for displaying preselected objects which can be manufactured from a variety of materials including wood plastic and metal.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with a considerable degree of specifics above, it should be noted that various additional objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a presently preferred embodiment of a base plate member constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the base plate member, partially in cross section, illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of one form of a presently preferred embodiment of an upright support member used in the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an upright support member used in the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of one form of a presently preferred embodiment of an adjustable sleeve like member used in the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a first alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an adjustable sleeve like member used in the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a second alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an adjustable sleeve like member used in the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a third alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an adjustable sleeve like member used in the invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a fourth alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an adjustable sleeve like member used in the invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a fifth alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an adjustable sleeve like member used in the invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of one form of a presently preferred embodiment of an accessory used in the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a first alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an accessory used in the invention;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a second alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an accessory used in the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a third alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an accessory used in the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a fourth alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an accessory used in the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a fifth alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an accessory used in the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a sixth alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an accessory used in the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a seventh alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an accessory used in the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a plan view of an eight alternative form of a presently preferred embodiment of an accessory used in the present invention;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals the several views illustrated in the drawing Figures.

Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings. Illustrated therein is an apparatus for displaying preselected objects (not shown). Such preselected objects can be arranged and rearranged into any number of different predetermined configurations. The preselected objects are selected from the group consisting of floral arrangements, plates, books, music sheets and tags. Preferably, such objects will be floral arrangements.

The apparatus includes a base member 12 having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined thickness. Such base member 12 is formed from a predetermined material selected from the group consisting of wood plastic and metal. In the presently most preferred embodiment of the invention such predetermined material is metal. Such predetermined shape of the base member 12 is preferably generally rectangular.

There is at least one substantially upright support member, generally designated 20, engageable with such base member 12 at a first predetermined location. Such at least one substantially upright support member is one of a substantially straight rod like member 14 and an L-shaped member 16.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus will include a plurality of such substantially upright support members 20 having predetermined lengths. Preferably, such plurality of substantially upright support members 20 have different predetermined lengths.

A first threaded attachment means, generally designated 30, is provided. The first threaded attachment means 30 includes a first threaded portion 18 disposed in such base member 12 and a second threaded portion 22 disposed on such at least one substantially upright support member 20 adjacent one end thereof for securing such at least one substantially upright support member 20 to the base member 12.

An at least one adjustable sleeve like member, generally designated 40, is engageable with the at least one substantially upright support member 20 at a second predetermined location. The presently preferred embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of said adjustable sleeve like members 40. These plurality of sleeve like members 40, preferably, have predetermined shapes selected from straight members 24, T-shaped members 26 and L-shaped members (not shown). In the most presently preferred embodiment of the invention, such adjustable sleeve like members 40 are straight members 26 and have a predetermined length which is a different length for each adjustable sleeve like member 40.

According to the present invention, the apparatus also includes a second threaded attachment means, generally designated 50. This second threaded attachment means 50 has a first threaded portion 28 disposed in a side wall portion 32 of the at least one adjustable sleeve like member 40 and a second portion threaded portion 34 disposed on a screw like member 36 for securing such at least one adjustable sleeve like member 40 to such at least one substantially upright support member 20.

There is an at least one preselected accessory, generally designated 60, carried by such at least one adjustable sleeve like member 40. It is presently preferred, according to this invention, that the apparatus 10 will include a plurality of such preselected accessories 60 and that such plurality of preselected accessories items 60 are selected from a tray like member 41, a tube like member 38, a cluster 42 of tube like members 38, ring like members 44 and double wire like rings (not shown) for holding at least one of such preselected objects. If such preselected accessory 60 is a tube like member 38 it is presently preferred that it will have a closed bottom.

When the apparatus includes a cluster 42 of tube like members 38 it is preferred that each tube like member 38 in such cluster 42 of tube like members 38 will exhibit a different predetermined length.

Depending on the particular end use for the apparatus it is possible for it to further include a means engageable with such at least one substantially upright support member 20 for adding at least one generally horizontally disposed support member 20 thereto.

According to a second embodiment of the invention the apparatus includes a base member 12 having each of a predetermined length, a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness and there is at least one substantially upright support member 20 secured to such base member 12, preferably by welding, at a first predetermined location.

At least one adjustable sleeve like member 40 is engageable with such at least one substantially upright support member 20 at a second predetermined location. There is a threaded attachment means 30 having a first threaded portion 28 disposed in a side wall portion 32 of the at least one adjustable sleeve like member 40 and a second threaded portion 34 disposed on a screw like member 44 for securing such at least one adjustable sleeve like member 40 to the at least one substantially upright support member 20. At least one preselected accessory 60 is carried by such at least one adjustable sleeve like member 40.

While in accordance with the patent statutes both a presently preferred as well as a number of alternative embodiments of the invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, various other modifications and adaptations of such invention can be made without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for displaying preselected objects which can be rearranged into a number of different predetermined configurations, said apparatus comprising: (a) a base member having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined thickness, said base member formed from a predetermined material; (b) at least one substantially upright support member engageable with said base member at a first predetermined location; (c) a first threaded attachment means having a first threaded portion disposed in said base member and a second threaded portion disposed on said at least one substantially upright support member adjacent one end thereof for securing said at least one substantially upright support member to said base member; (d) at least one adjustable sleeve like member engageable with said at least one substantially upright support member at a second predetermined location; (e) a second threaded attachment means having a first threaded portion disposed in a side wall portion of said at least one adjustable sleeve like member and a second portion threaded portion disposed on a screw like member for securing said at least one adjustable sleeve like member to said at least one substantially upright support member; and (f) at least one preselected accessory carried by said at least one adjustable sleeve like member.
 2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape of said base member is generally rectangular.
 3. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one substantially upright support member is one of a substantially straight rod like member and an L-shaped member.
 4. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a plurality of said substantially upright support members having predetermined lengths.
 5. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of said substantially upright support members have different predetermined lengths.
 6. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a plurality of said adjustable sleeve like members.
 7. An apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of said adjustable sleeve like members have predetermined shapes selected from straight, T-shaped and L-shaped.
 8. An apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein said adjustable sleeve like members are straight and have a predetermined length.
 9. An apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined length of each of said adjustable sleeve like members is different.
 10. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a plurality of said preselected accessories.
 11. An apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of said preselected accessories are selected from a tray like member, a tube like member, a cluster of tube like members, ring like members and double wire like rings for holding one of said preselected objects selected from floral arrangements, plates, books, music sheets and tags.
 12. An apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said tube like member includes a closed bottom.
 13. An apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said apparatus includes a cluster of tube like members and each tube like member in said cluster of tube like members has a different predetermined length.
 14. An apparatus, according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes means engageable with said at least one substantially upright support member for adding at least one substantially horizontally disposed support member thereto.
 15. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined material said base member is formed from is selected from the group consisting of metal, wood and plastic.
 16. An apparatus, according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined material said base member is formed from is metal.
 17. An apparatus for displaying preselected objects which can be rearranged into a number of different predetermined configurations, said apparatus comprising: (a) a base member having each of a predetermined length, a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness; (b) at least one substantially upright support member secured to said base member at a first predetermined location; (c) at least one adjustable sleeve like member engageable with said at least one substantially upright support member at a second predetermined location; (d) a threaded attachment means having a first threaded portion disposed in a side wall portion of said at least one adjustable sleeve like member and a second threaded portion disposed on a screw like member for securing said at least one adjustable sleeve like member to said at least one substantially upright support member; and (e) at least one preselected accessory carried by said at least one adjustable sleeve like member.
 18. An apparatus, according to claim 17, wherein said at least one substantially upright support member is secured to said base member by welding. 